At The Cocoa Circle, chocolate bonbons are the secret to our head chef Hyram’s heart. So, today, we’re going to take a look at who we have to thank for inventing our favourite treat.
The invention of the chocolate bonbon as we know it today is credited to Jean Neuhaus, a Belgian chocolatier.
In 1912, Jean Neuhaus II, the grandson of the founder of Neuhaus, created the first chocolate bonbon by covering a creamy filling with a thin layer of chocolate. This innovation was revolutionary at the time, as most chocolates were solid and lacked a soft or liquid centre.
Neuhaus named his creation “praline,” although it’s important to note that in Belgium, the term “praline” refers specifically to filled chocolates. However, in France, it refers to a different type of sugared almond confection.
The success of Neuhaus’s first chocolate bonbon led to the creation of a wide variety of filled chocolates with various flavours and fillings, laying the foundation for the modern assortment of chocolate bonbons. Neuhaus’s invention of the chocolate bonbon and innovative approach to chocolate-making transformed the industry and solidified Belgium’s reputation as a hub for high-quality, artisanal chocolates.
